192
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 12TH MAY, 1866.
After the 31st December 1865, 4 cases occurred on the 3rd January-one being admitted into Gaol the 18th August---the
2nd 25th May, 3rd 11th August, 4th 18th October. 2 of these men were in the chaingang.
:
On the 5th and 6th January, 5 cases appeared one of whom died-the others were cured. The 1st was admitted into Gaol the 2nd January 1866-the 2nd 17th July, the 3rd 19th May, the 4th 18th November and the 5th the 29th December 1865. Between the 30th December and the 21st March inclusive 169 cases of the disease have been admitted into Hospital of which number 12 died. Several men, I believe, to the number of 10 who had the disease last year, have been again seized with it this year-and that about 50 now in Gaol were in the establishment last year, when the disease was prevalent.
Two European prisoners were last year seized with the disease, one of whom died.
One was admitted to Gaol the 20th July and received into Hospital the same day for Delirium Tremens-Peter Dickinson by
name-became convalescent and was seized with the Fever while in bed and very weak, he died the 10th August. The 2nd man's name was G. D. Smith, admitted into Gaol and Hospital on the 28th August, as a destitute sailor, discharged
cured on the 6th September.
Of the 4 Colored men attacked in 1865, one died. The first an Indian Rabdoolah by name admitted into Gaol the 8th May into Hospital 19th May, and died on the 23rd May. A 2nd admitted into Hospital the 14th September, and discharged the 2nd October cured. A 3rd admitted to Hospital the 5th September, discharged the 2nd October, having been in Gaol about 20 days. A 4th admitted 5th September, discharged 11th September.
Two Europeans and 1 Colored man were seized this year.
1 European by name Leslie admitted into Hospital the 10th March and into Gaol the 19th February-he is now in Hospital. 2nd. A Turnkey named Badwick an Indian, admitted into Hospital the 12th March, discharged cured 20th March. 3rd named Stokes an European, admitted into Hospital this day 22nd March, being about 8 months in Gaol.
On the removal of a prisoner from his cell to Hospital, suffering from disease-his cell is white washed, well scrubbed out and the bedding washed-well aired or destroyed according to circumstances, a disinfecting fluid, chloride of zinc, is also sprinkled in the wards-no disinfectant is used for the Latrines but they are white washed twice a week.
In each cell there is but one covered bucket which is used only at night and removed in the morning-these buckets are
cleaned and occasionally tarred inside.
There is a plentiful supply of water throughout all the water closets, &c.
Drainage good-no smell therefrom, and there is abundance of water for flushing the drains, which are open and inspected
once a week.
The prisoners are sometimes kept in the Police cells 2 or 3 days previous to admission. Have been here since November
1863 with my wife and family, have been always healthy--the same applies to the Turnkeys.
23rd March, 1866.
Two respectable Chinese Doctors vouched for by Captain QUIN, Superintendent of Police. WONG YOW Ho is a Doctor and has been 18 years in practice: of which 11 years in Hongkong, lives in Gilman's Bazaar, states that much sickness appeared in April and May 1865, began with chills-next morning skin became yellow-and then if not cured the following day the patient died-out of 10 patients not more than 2 or 3 were cured--had a good many patients last year during the 4th, 5th and 6th months, he treated 50 patients, he found moribund and 12 died who had been under other treatment in the 1st instance, and only cured 27 men-all did not turn yellow throughout-in some the eyes-in some the nails and some the body--after the yellowness appeared few recovered, observed these cases first about the middle of March or the beginning of the 2nd China month, and they continued to present themselves to his notice up to the end of September.
Has seen 2 cases similar to those which have been this day shewn to him in the Gaol Hospital this month. The greatest number of Chinese attacked by the disease came from Taipingshan, but many from other parts of the town-chiefly very poor people.
-
There are in Hongkong only about 10 Doctors who understand anatomy and about 100 of an inferior degree-knows all the
former who told him they had seen the same disease-does not know any of the latter.
He never knew such a mortality among the Chinese as last year-if the patient vomited yellow stuff he got better-but if
black he in general died.
Ho LING 'No is a Doctor and practising for 22 years-4 years in Hongkong-lives opposite the old Police Station-saw about 8 or 10 cases similar to those he saw this day in the Gaol last year, of which died. The eyes in these cases were yellow-the bodies also turned yellow-began with chills hot skin and head-ache--the day after the attack the skin became yellow. Deaths occurred generally after a week's illness. Some vomited, if they did not vomit they died-the 5 men who died did
not vomit.
The vomit was generally of a yellow soap appearance occasionally of a brownish colour-before death a yellowish fluid trickled from the mouth-blood also came from nose and mouth occasionally-about 100 Doctors (Chinese) in Hongkong--but few well informed--perhaps not 10. More deaths took place last year in Hongkong than before in his experience.
This year he has seen but one case, at present under his treatment.
Cannot explain the cause of this sickness except as attributable to the season of the year.
The Gaol dietary of the Chinese has been read to him-thinks it sufficient and a proper diet.
The people attacked were only the poor people-rich Chinese are not so affected.
Has seen the same disease in Canton; every year there are one or two to be seen in Canton, where he goes very often in
pursuit of his practice but has only observed it for the last few years.
The coolies are afraid of communicating with others attacked by the disease-does not think it communicated by contagion
but by many people living together.
The best Doctor here is, QUANG TZE CHU.
Mr. DOUGLAS re-called.
The Gaol dietary for Chinese is as follosn in lbs. and fractions:
Fish
Rice
and Vegetables
Salt Fish Fresh Fish Leguminous Vegetables Tea
Salt
Soap
Firewood
or Chatney
1+1
2
1%%
*
38
36